Melted beads

My son wanted to make some pixel art in Perler beads, and I accompanied him. I made myself a nice coaster. I went on Pinterest for inspiration, and then mixed some patterns. My son really liked the results, he wanted to frame it. I'd rather have a coaster.

Useful art is the happier kind, and I like my desk pretty!

Some of you saw it on Instagram and asked for a pattern so I scanned it for you:

If you want to get the same effect with different patterns, there's a logic to it: each and every time I was doing a pattern in a palette of colors, I would use the same palette on a similar pattern somewhere else on the coaster. Like that I keep the hodgepodge feel, but with just enough structure that it's not a mess. I will make some more if I have some time, but time is scarce this year.

Beware : perler beads , once melted, can hold the warmth of a tea cup, but not much more. Don't put anything too hot on it or be prepared to handle a gooey mess.